Cycling in Hochiminh Trail

Cycling in Hochiminh trail- 9 days

The Ho Chi Minh trail was a logistical system that ran from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) to the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) through the neighboring kingdoms of Laos and Cambodia. The system provided support, in the form of manpower and materiel, to the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam, or derogatively, Vietcong, and the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN), or North Vietnamese Army, during the Vietnam War (1955–1975).

The trail was not a single route, but rather a complex maze of truck routes, paths for foot and bicycle traffic, and river transportation systems. The name, taken from North Vietnamese president Ho Chi Minh. Now day Ho Chi Minh Road or Ho Chi Minh Highway (Vietnamese language: Đường Hồ Chí Minh) is a highway in Vietnam. It runs from the north to the south of Vietnam, west of National Road 1A. The highway was named after Hồ Chí Minh. The route roughly coincides with the Ho Chi Minh Trail during the Vietnam War. It is a two-lane highway and is planned for 8-lane highway and will connect Cao Bang Province by the Sino-Vietnamese border to Ca Mau Province with the total length of 3,167 km. As of 2007, this road runs from Hoa Lac in Ha Tay Province to Ngoc Hoi in Kon Tum Province with a total length of 1,234.5 km. ( from Wikipidia )

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Riding on quiet roads through traditional villages, this exciting new biking holiday explores the remote and previously inaccessible northern part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. En route, we visit the spectacular scenery and caves of the Phong Nha National Park and see numerous fascinating relics of the Vietnam War, such as the combat base at Khe Sanh. Other highlights extension tour include the ‘Imperial City’ of Hue and the beach at Hoi An, a perfect place to relax at the end of this great ride

Day 1: Meeting in airport, transfer to hotel in Hanoi. Group meeting in afternoon . Overnight in Hanoi

Day2: Hanoi – Cam Thuy (+- 115km asphalt road )

After breakfast in hotel .We transfer southwest to Xuan Mai- Hoa Binh Province and then we cycling to Cam Thuy. Cycling belong of Ma river. The road gets more beautiful the closer you ride to CamThuy with looming karst limestone cliffs and lush bamboo forest .

Overnight in a small hotel of Cam Thuy. (B,L,D)

Day3: Cam Thuy- Thai Hoa( +- 120 km asphalt road )

Ride on the newly built two lane Ho Chi Minhtrails Highway there is very few traffic! The road makes for smooth fast riding, plenty of exploring possibilities along the way.

Ride on the banks of River Song Chu, the distance covered today is quite long and there will be the chance to transfer some sections by the back-up vehicle to rest weary legs. There are fewer villages today as the route cuts through forests and jungle. Arrival ThaiHoa very late. Dinner and overnight Thai Hoa guesthouse. Overnight in Thai Hoa. (B,L,D)

Day4: ThaiHoa- PhoChau ( +- 120km, asphalt road )

The ride is on smooth road and passing peaceful villages and stunning mountain range

Overnight in PhoChau.(B,L,D)

Day 5: PhoChau- Phong Nha cave ( 140km )

Our ride today toward Phong Nha National Park. Lunch stop on the way.( Please take note that Mini bus standby with 100% support ). Upon arrival in Phong Nha check in Hotel. Overnight on the hotel in Phong Nha . .(B,L,D)

Day 6: Phong Nha-Dong Hoi relax ( +- 50 km, asphalt road )

After breakfast we take boat trip visit Phong Nha Cave, which is a World Heritage Site. Pm: riding to Dong Hoi.

Dinner and Overnight in Dong Hoi

Day 7: Dong Hoi- Dong Ha( Cycling +- 90km, asphalt road )

Breakfast in the hotel, today we will cycling in ” DMZ “ area with “Truong Son National Cemetery ” where some hundred of thousand soldiers of North Vietnam who served in army during Vietnam War are resting in peace, visit Vinh moc tunnel is optional. Dinner and overnight in Dong Ha. .(B,L,D)

Day 8: Dong Ha- A Luoi ( Cycling +-120km, asphalt road )

Cycling to old military base, with ” Da Krong River “. The ride with river and tribal villages along the road. End of riding day in Aluoi. Overnight in A Luoi .(B,L,D)

Day 9: A Luoi- Hue( Cycling +- 60km, asphalt road )

Hard cycling up to high pass. Begin the beautiful ride downhill 40km to Hue city. In the afternoon, riding end in Hue

Note: Prices are based per person, double occupancy, with a separate cost for solo travelers. If you are traveling in a group but prefer single accommodations, a single supplement fee applies. Triple accommodations are not available in many of the destinations we visit.